In our daily world, we are in places where God is not seen nor heard. It is often said among people, “I would believe in God if He would reveal Himself,” or “If there were evidence of God, I would believe.” It is no coincidence that the true fulfillment and salvation of the soul is: God being personally revealed and imparted to the person. The one thought and concern atheists and agnostics have about God and the evidence is the very answer, plan, and blueprint that God Himself has for their soul.
Let’s hear the early Christians regarding God’s existence: “God is not in a place, but is indescribable, ineffable and invisible.” [1]
If God is truly not in a place, indescribable, and invisible, how can people in our lives, including atheists, come to see and know God? God begins to reveal Himself, first through the Logos of His nature, mentioned in John 1. The Logos, or “the human nature” [2] of God is said to be in the midst of everyone, as elaborated by Origen:
“They who have the Logos in their midst but pay no attention to his nature, nor from what source and principle he has come, nor how he came to be in them, they are the ones who have them in their midst but know him not. The Word stands constantly there in his saving activity, even when he becomes flesh and is in the midst of human beings not comprehended and not even seen. He stands there teaching and inviting all to drink from his abundant spring… He stands unrecognized in your midst, penetrating the hearts and minds of all. Consider whether these do not mean the same thing: to be ‘with’ someone… And to stand in the midst of those who do not recognize you… In the midst of those who do not know him;he is there in their midst by way of possibility, not reality, that is, not in actual fact and activity”
Origen [1]
God is first revealing Himself through the means of this natural world and through those who have the Word in them. Just as the Word (Logos) is in our midst and we have the possibility of seeing Him, when we crucify the flesh of the mind, then the invisible Word (Rhema), the “living” and “definite meaning,” [3] is seen. The rhema is contain within the logos. Through this crucifixion process, the Word, becomes in us, [1] now seeing and obtaining the actuality and virtues of God. Those who we see and dwell among on a daily basis, as God’s temple (1 Corinthians 3:16), at our workplace, school, home, the store, restaurant, event, etc., they have the Word in their midst by way of possibility, but not yet in their reality. When God shines the light of knowledge of Christ from our hearts (2 Corinthians 4:6), the son of God is born and revealed into their world and reality (John 3:16, Romans 8:19).
When God shines the light of knowledge of Christ from our hearts, the son of God is born and revealed into their world and reality
Origen continues –
“It is when we turn away from the life that only appears to be and is not the true life, and yearn to gain the true life, that we first gain a share of it; and once there, it becomes in us the foundation of the light of knowledge. With some perhaps, this light is there only in possibility and not actually… but with others it is there actually.” [1]
When someone turns to see God, it is no longer a possibility, but is actually made known to them. God can only be known through His fruit and character, His Spirit, where His logos and rhema abides. Evangelist Michael Petro recently said, “Your faith kicks in when you realize it is a reality.” [4]
The atheist or non-believers have the ability to see the fruit of that seed when we truly walk in faith through what God has put in us. Our faith is the evidence of things not seen and hoped for (Hebrews 11:1). Jesus says we are disciples according to the fruit we are bearing. These are only manifested through His love, the commandments (John 15:8-10). The true evidence of God is the fruit and seed of His divine nature being revealed through us to those in our lives. This is how God is made real and evident to those who don’t believe.
Blessings,
The Harvesters
References:
1. Origen of Alexandria – “Spirit & Fire, A Thematic Anthology of His Writings.” Pgs. 251-253
2. G3056, Thayer’s 3rd Definition
3. G4487, Thayer’s 1st Definition
4. Michael Petro – Rauch Service, Perdition
5. Ignatius – Epistle to the Magnesians, Ch. IV